Event

The Tree

The Mesopotamian Opera Company, Inc., proudly presents its new production, THE TREE, an urbanist opera, with words and music by Peter Wing Healey, conducted from the piano by Dr. James Lent, at the Highland Park Ebell Club in Los Angeles, May 27, 28, 29 and 30, 2020. THE TREE is an exciting, eclectic, colorful, captivating and vibrant operatic re-telling of an ancient Japanese myth combined with the story of todays struggle to build great cities, provide adequate housing and save the environment.

The spirit of a centuries-old oak tree on a ridge outside a small town falls in love with a young man from the town. She comes out of her tree and marries him when his first marriage falls apart. They move to the great city where he will pursue his dream of becoming an architect. His ex-wife, taking custody of their son, marries again, this time to a local developer. When, years later, the developer decides to build a mega-mall outside the now growing town it becomes clear that he plans to cut down the old tree. The son joins with a band of tree-sitters to protest the construction. The town is polarized. The architect and the tree spirit watch helplessly as the situation deteriorates. When the tree is finally felled she dies, but in the process he receives the gift of a vision that will enable him to transform the world.

Camila Lima coloratura soprano
Victoria Fox mezzo-soprano
Marco Antonio Lozano tenor
Andi Walker bass-baritone
Ben Finer baritone
Christa Marie Stevens soprano
Marianna Ramirez soprano
Aaron Ball baritone
Bridgette Campbell actress
Eric Castro baritone
Natalia Ferreiro soprano
Bruce Anderson actor
Piano/Conductor Dr. James Lent
Percussion Michael A. Basak
Violin Edgar Sandoval